Harrisburg officials to increase police presence, conduct gun buybacks to combat gun violence

In response to the recent shootings, Harrisburg officials announced plans to combat gun violence, including increasing security and offering a gun buyback option.

“It doesn’t matter how much we invest in public safety,” Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said during a news conference Thursday. “At some point, we as citizens of Harrisburg must be responsible for ourselves, and especially our families, and do the right thing.”

Harrisburg recently saw several shootings early in the morning on weekends, as downtown bars closed for the night.

Last weekend, Kendrell Hall, 22, was killed following a shootout with police in the 200 block of South Street, according to law enforcement. The previous weekend, a 33-year-old man suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound near N. 2nd and Locust streets.

At the news conference, Police Commissioner Thomas Carter said there would be an increased police presence downtown this weekend and urged parents of concerned youth to join police.

“All parents: if you are concerned, […] join us downtown and stand with us, because you know who these kids are, and take them home,” Carter said.

The state could also deploy Capitol Mounted Police to help with late-night crowd control downtown, Carter said.

Carter also said the city was working to revise curfew laws, revisiting previous laws that held parents of young people more accountable.

Williams and Carter also announced an upcoming gun buyback opportunity, in partnership with the Kappa Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, on Saturday, June 22, from noon to 6 p.m., at the fraternity house at 2020 State St .

Anyone who turns in their firearm will receive a $100 gift card, no questions asked and no ID required.

“We want to get as many guns off the street as possible,” Carter said.

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